How should cultural events be designed when children and young people are treated as active participants rather than simply an audience? That question will be at the centre of this year's Obserwatorium Sztuki dla Dziecka (Art Observatory for Children), taking place in Poznań on 9 and 10 October 2026.
Organised by Centrum Sztuki Dziecka w Poznaniu (Children’s Art Centre), the two-day programme will bring together artists, educators, researchers and people working with young people to discuss participation in culture and the changing relationship between cultural institutions and their youngest audiences.
The programme will explore topics including young people's self-advocacy, children's participation in public life, research into young audiences, theatre for young children and the role of parents and other adults who accompany children to cultural events.
One session will look at experiences from Ale Kino! and the Biennale Sztuki dla Dziecka, while another will consider how cultural organisations can adapt their events for young audiences without compromising artistic ambition.
The Friday programme will also include a lecture and discussion on participation, followed by an evening networking event and DJ set at Dragon on ul. Zamkowa.
Obserwatorium is aimed primarily at people working in culture, education and youth engagement. The programme is published in Polish, and the discussion panels and presentations are likely to take place in Polish.
Workshops on 8 October
Obserwatorium will be preceded by two practical workshops on 8 October. One will focus on implementing child safeguarding standards in cultural organisations, while the other will explore how to create engaging stories around cultural events and their communication.
Both workshops run from 12:00 to 17:00, cost 99 zł and have a limit of 20 participants.
Obserwatorium Sztuki dla Dziecka
9-10 October 2026
Scena Wspólna, ul. Brandstaettera 1, Poznań
Two-day accreditation: 200 zł
Workshops: 99 zł each
Sales opened: 1 September 2026
For two days, the event will create a space for people working with young audiences to compare experiences and consider how children's perspectives can influence the way cultural events are created and organised.
See more: Finding You, Finding Me: Feature Film Casting Call in Poznań
Source and image credit: Biennale dla Dziecka
